Skarlett Riot - Introduce songs from 'Invicta' live!!!

June 24th 2022

London, Islington, o2 Academy, UK

***

Warm up at the first show of the tour in London

Skarlett Riot *** are a band that I have seen supporting a lot of bands over the years, but are an act that is yet to make the move up to the next level. I had been hearing good things about them again, so I was looking forward to catching their set. Tonight they are supporting Metal legends Mushroomhead, which I was a little surpirsed about... because they don't really fit on the bill. Skarlett Riot are Classic Rock / Alternative Rock / Pop Punk verging on Emo, so think would be perfect to support bands like Paramore, No Doubt, Pink or even Evanescence.

Singer Skarlett always has such friendly mannerism, so think this is why the band have got such a following on social media. And they have had three studio albums, as well as four EP's my favourte of these being 2012's 'Villain', which is a record I think showed where the band could go when they put their mind to it. I actually can't believe this EP is now ten years old, because I remember when it was released like yesterday. This song also was included in the bands 2013 album 'Tear me Down', which was a pretty good record.

Like other bands I think the lockdowns and Covid-19 have not helped the band out, because they had a brand new record out last year 'Invicta', and they have not been able to tour the record or try out some of the songs live until now. This is their first night with Mushroomhead, so they seem a bit rusty and out of practice and it isn't until the last few songs that they really came into motion. I think the highlight of the bands set is the single 'Black Cloud', which you can hear and see the video for at the bottom of this page.

I think this will be sorted later in the tour, so it's not a big problem. The opening the set with the first song on the new record 'Breaking the Habit', which has a really nice groove to it and shows great promise. The majority of the set comes from the new album, so I think maybe the people in attendance that have come especially for Skarlett Riot don't know them that well yet. 'The Storm' and 'Warrior' are I think the only two older tracks they play, these are off the 'Regenerate' album which was their release before.

I think it's sad the lack of songs from 'Tear me Down', but I understand the band want to move forward and try new things. If your a fan of female vocalists and Classic Rock / Alternative Rock / Pop Punk / Emo, then I feel you will really like the albums by Skarlett Riot. It's worth going back and listenign to Skarlett Riot's back catelogue, they really have some great Rock songs.

I do have to admit it is not really my thing, but they are good at what they do. I do feel I have seen them better at other shows, but I have to give them a break because again this is the first night of the tour and it's hard for a band to get back out their and play live after lockdowns. I know I am struggling with this and with going back out on the road with my own band, so respect anyone that is getting out their and performing live again.

But I have to say the problem for me is that they don't really fit on the bill, they are a good band on the wrong bill. I also think this is why the band members other than Skarlett didn't see to look that much at the crowd and engage with them, I think what I really liked about Skarlett Riot when I saw them before was the way they connected with the crowd. But they were on a bill I think they felt more comfortable with, with bands that sound similar to them. This is a real shame, I hope they get this sorted so I can see another great set from them... because they have been really great when I saw them before.

Review by Dan Devour